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Crowns XLi: New amp (home audio level friendly)

Crown released a new series called the XLi. It lacks the X-Over and Limiter functions and adds true .775 sensitivity (user selectable between .775 and 1.4 volts). So should be friendly to consumer AVR's and DACS.

Prices start at $249 for 200WPC at 8 and 300WPC at 4 but I believe they are 1 Khz ratings.

Crown released a new series called the XLi. It lacks the X-Over and Limiter functions and adds true .775 sensitivity (user selectable between .775 and 1.4 volts). So should be friendly to consumer AVR's and DACS.

Prices start at $249 for 200WPC at 8 and 300WPC at 4 but I believe they are 1 Khz ratings.

Looking at the specs, they seem perfect for DJ and sub use but to power the main speakers (LCR) I would look elsewhere.

XLi800

XLi1500

XLi2500

XLi3500

4-ohm Dual
(per ch.)

300W

450W

750W

1350W

8-ohm Dual
(per ch.)

200W

330W

500W

1000W

8-ohm Bridge-Mono

600W

900W

1500W

2700W

1kHz Power: refers to guaranteed minimum power in watts at 1kHz with 0.5% THD

XLi800

XLi1500

XLi2500

XLi3500

Channels

2

2

2

2

Sensitivity (full rated power at 8 ohms)

0.775V or 1.4V

0.775V or 1.4V

0.775V or 1.4V

0.775V or 1.4V

Signal to Noise Ratio (below rated power 20Hz to 20kHz, A-Weighted)

> 100 dB

> 100 dB

> 100 dB

> 100 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) (20Hz - 20kHz)

< 0.5%

< 0.5%

< 0.5%

< 0.5%

Inter Modulation Distortion (60Hz and 7kHz at 4:1 from full rated output to -40 dB)

One question: Why do amp manufactures use that ridiculous power rating at 1khz?

It's a pretty common reference, although I am not sure why they choose that standard. My issue would be that it produces 0.5% total harmonic distortion with that reference tone. It would lead me to believe the THD would be greater at different frequencies.

Despite those who swear by using a "commercial sound reinforcement" amp in a home theater or music system, I am somewhat skeptical. For movies sure, but many of these amps are pretty noisy, both fan noise and an increased noise floor.

For subs, I would do it as long as the amp didn't drastically roll off on the lower end of the frequency curve.

I think for a few $$'s more the XLS and XTi series 2 would be a much better choice.

I'm one of those guys that use a commercial / pro amp. I even dumped my Parasounds and Adcom amps in the bargain. Just like anything else you have to do your own due diligence. My Parasounds had a higher noise floor than my XLS 402D.

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